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Comment: Agricultural Economics Research and Extension Needs of Small-Scale, Limited-Resource Farmers

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  28 April 2015

Ben L. Perry
Ben L. Perry*
Affiliation:
Agricultural Research and Extension Center, University of Florida and Florida A & M University, Tallahassee.
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Extract

West is to be commended for (1) the organization of his discussion, (2) the careful delineation of the research areas, (3) the thoroughness of his research and the excellent documentation of the research efforts of social scientists in treating the problem/s of the small-farm operator, and (4) the development of a means-end schema of “what is,” “what ought to be” with implications for future research, programs, and public policy.

As West indicates, there is need for a redefinition of small farm. The $20,000 gross sales limit is inadequate. Most definitions do not include the value added of products produced and consumed by the family. Some states, for example Florida, use figures much lower than $20,000 to characterize small farms. The distinction between full-time and part-time farmers and their incomes is not clearly delineated. A national concern should be the redefinition of the term, “small farm.” Heterogeneous characteristics of small farms should not inhibit the generation of profile information by geographic regions.

Type
Research Article
Information
Journal of Agricultural and Applied Economics , Volume 11 , Issue 1 , July 1979 , pp. 57 - 59
Copyright
Copyright © Southern Agricultural Economics Association 1979

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References

[1] Colette, W. Arden, “The Role of Communication and Attitudes in Small Farm Programs,” SRDC Series; also unpublished papers, Food and Resource Economics Department, University of Florida. September, 1977.Google Scholar
[2] Dhillon, J. A. “Perception of Institutional Incentives and Constraints by the Poor in the Acceptance of New Ideas and Economic Opportunity Programs;” unpublished paper, Center for Rural Development and Research, Florida A & M University, September 22, 1977.Google Scholar
[3] Dhillon, J. A. “Description of the Sample: Characteristics of the Rural Poor,” unpublished paper, Center for Rural Development and Research, Florida A & M University, 1977.Google Scholar
[4] Dhillon, J. A. “Knowledge Level, Need and Use of Selected Antipoverty Programs by the Rural Poor,” unpublished paper, Center for Rural Development and Research, Florida A & M University, 1977.Google Scholar
[5] Fairweather, George W. and Tornatzky, L. G., “Experimental Methods for Social Policy Research,” Pergamon Press, 1977.Google Scholar
[6] Lockhart, Madelyn K., “Income Distribution in the South”. The Economics of Southern Growth. Southern Growth Policies Board, Fisher-Harrison Corporation, 1977.Google Scholar
[7] Publications by RDC's in Alabama, Florida, Louisiana, Mississippi, Tennessee, Virginia, and other states.Google Scholar